Are you trying to figure out what to do with that new “timeline” layout that’s taken over your Facebook page?
Never fear! Here are 5 easy actions you can take to leverage the new features we’ve been given by the Facebook overlords.
1. Use a Great Cover Photo
Make your cover photo attention grabbing and interesting. Consider changing it occassionally to keep it fresh.
Just touch the image with your mouse and a “Change Cover” option will show up in the bottom right corner. Click that and choose your new image. Dimensions are 851px by 315px.
What can you do with it?
Share photos of yourself/your business:
- products or portfolio shots
- speaking on stage
- working in your office
- with a client or group of clients
- with a coach or your mastermind group
- out networking or attending live events
Use a custom image collage or custom image:
- you can create one yourself with a tool like http://pixlr.com
- use a collage of your fans created with http://myfbcover.com/apps/texteffects/ (scroll down on the page to see it)
- find a talented graphics designer or virtual assistant to create one for you
2. Fill in Your “About” Box
If your page isn’t connected to a place, you’ve got about 165 characters here and if you put in a URL with http:// or www. at the beginning it will show as a live clickable link.
Tips:
- Keep it short and simple
- Don’t use a bunch of buzz words or industry jargon
- You CAN use a call to action in this box (such as “like my page to…”)
If your page is connected to a place, you won’t get to customize this space. It will automatically show your address and contact info. Just make sure it’s accurate and up to date.
3. Take Advantage of the Featured Boxes/Tabs
Instead of “tabs” we’ve now got boxes. Only four will be featured on your page but you can see all the boxes on any page by clicking the small arrow on the right:
Change the box positions to feature the ones you want noticed. If you have a great custom tab promoting a free opt-in gift, upcoming event, or sale you may want to feature it. You may also want to make some boxes not show up when someone first lands on your page (for example, if you’ve only got a few fans, you can hide the “like” box while you grow your numbers).
Just mouseover the box you want to move and an editing pencil icon will appear. Click that then click to swap it with the box of your choice.
4. Star & Feature Your Best Credibility Builders
With the two column layout of our pages, we can now “feature” some posts to make them show up as one column, stretching across the page.
Just touch your mouse over the status update, and you’ll see a star and editing pencil icon appear in the top right corner. Click the star icon to feature it.
5. “Pin” a Welcome or Offer on Top of Your Page
You can “pin” the status update of your choice to the top of your page for up to 7 days. You could use this to share a short welcome message or feature an upcoming event.
And there you go! 5 ways to get more out of your new Facebook timeline.
Got more time? Check out the “Milestone” feature and add important events in your company history — awards, honors, etc.
What do you think of the new timeline? Love it? Hate it? Still deciding?
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We’ve been trying to come up with the right cover photo for our Facebook page and it’s not an easy process, especially considering the number of restrictions placed by Facebook. I’ve been looking at what others have been doing, but the issue is that we offer not a product, but a service that is not simple to represent in a unique way. Any ideas are appreciated.
You might check out what others in your industry are using for their cover photos, Jay. Or some of the recent posts on Mashable featuring stand-out covers. That could spark some ideas.
Another strategy could be to ask your clients for ideas or your Facebook fans. They may be able to offer a different perspective on what aspect of your service or results would make a great image to highlight.
Hi Michelle
My new Facebook page is next on my “to do” list so your post will be very helpful for me! There is always so much to learn with Facebook as they are always changing things but life is a constant change so I am looking forward to the challenge.
Pauline
They do keep us on our toes! :)
I think it is really important to have the best Facebook cover photo and make sure it is very attractive to people…
It’s the largest image we’ve got so it’s worth taking time to figure out what will attract attention and showcase us in a unique way, I agree, Crystal.
Great Tips Michelle.
When Facebook talks we have to listen. Timeline takes getting use too. However, entrepreneurs know how to use challenges to amplify their creative minds. At the end of the day we will figure it out. We will make it work. That’s the mindset of a successful entrepreneurs. You can figure it out on our own … it will take some time if it is not your strength or you can seek the guidance of a mentor, coach or a teacher.
Change is good and it can be so darn refreshing. In time, we will begin to enjoy and reap the benefits of Timeline. I just started a fan page I have done #2 and #5 is next. The others are going to take a little time. Is that a VA I hear knocking on my door?
Exactly! Just remember you can always figure it out, and the resources are there for us.
When Facebook throws changes at us, my approach now is to (1) identify new opportunities, (2) figure out what opportunities are gone and how to work around that. :)
Hi. Great post. I think the most nerve wrecking thing for most time line users is choosing their cover photo. It’s the photo that sum’s up you as a person, so there’s a lot of pressure in terms of that.
It can be. I took the approach of just figuring I’ll change it occasionally so it’s less pressure. ;)
I changed my personal account to timeline last year when Facebook offered a few people to try out first. True it may take some getting used to but once you get used to it you’ll start loving it’s many features. I specially like the fan pages – I like the timeline look better than the old facebook look.
I do too, Reese. I changed mine early on my personal profile since I figured I’d be changing eventually anyway. :)
It seems as if there is something new happening at the social network every day.
The only constant is change, right? :)
Thanks for this excellent tutorial. You officially know everything about everything and you do a great job of explaining rapidly changing concepts (and social media sites)! You bring up a good point in #2 that your URL should be at the beginning. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve tried to find someone’s site after I’ve run across their listing on Facebook. Great post!!
LOL Thanks, Lisa.
Right! Gotta make sure all these places we’re networking and sharing lead back to our websites.
love the new facebook timeline and i am hjappy with my coverpicture :)
thanks for the tip with the offer and pinning the offer.
will keep that in mind soonish
You’re welcome, Helen. I’m happy Facebook added those two features for us – it gives us more flexibility with what we have visible on our pages.
these are awesome, Michelle! I’ve been working on the FB stuff in pieces all week. Still working on the new and improved cover image but updated my “about” ;) I’m kind of partial to your #4 ;) hehe thanks! And I love the “Pin” feature — it only lasts for 7 days — which is perfect for changing up welcome offers ;) You rock my friend!!! ((hugs))
LOL Yes, #4 seems like it might be a bit familiar to you… ;)
Isn’t “pin” cool? I love that they gave us that.
I believe Facebook cover photo is a shout out of your business so better choose the best photo that
introducing your product. wonderful post Michelle! thanks for sharing.
Yep, it’s a great opportunity to feature something cool.
Hey Michelle,
I can’t stop myself to admire your Facebook Cover Photo, someone has said quite correctly that images can speak too and same case is with your cover photo.
Thanks, Aasma.
Hi Michelle,
Great tips, Facebook timeline is very interesting especially for business owners and a great covering photo is very important to attract readers. Thanks for sharing link http://pixlr.com here because I forgot to take advantage of this website for images.
Hi Syeda, have fun with Pixlr.com :)
Hi Michelle,
I did almost all the things to utlize my facebook timeline and currently I am working on Cover page photo and hopefully I complete my work by tomorrow.Thanks for the tips!
Awesome! And you’re welcome, Pete.
New timeline is good design and good idea.
It is. Facebook’s come up with some interesting advances lately.
Many people complain about it instead of just making the best out of it like what you did and I like it.
I figure we can’t change it so we might as well figure out the best way to use it. :)
These are great ideas Michelle. Thank you for sharing them. Makes it easier to figure out.
You’re welcome, Ria.
Thanks for the tips Michelle. Question though. I noticed you were able to have your info description show up right under your profile pic in the about box instead of people having to click the About link and learning what you do. Do you have any idea if that’s because you have a fan page and not a friend page?
Yes, that’s a fan page. Our personal profiles we can’t use for business promo, so they don’t let us include that about box like they do on our fan pages. :)